Alec Hogg: Deja Vu as our Power Hour returns to radio

Here's a little-known story worth re-telling. A quarter century ago, my incessant knocking on SAFM's door found a willing ear in recently appointed station manager Charlene Smith. One of the most courageous and competent people I've met, Charlene believed a daily business show would rejuvenate the station – despite top management insistence that 'it will never work'..Read also: Alec Hogg: It's a great time to fly domestically in SA.She backed my idea, but was was a hard taskmaster, insisting a full month of interviews be lined up before signing a six month contract. Unfortunately, Charlene's enemies within the toxic national broadcaster used this to knife her in the back. Three days before we were to launch, they used the proposed business show to claim she had exceeded her authority and dismissed her..Were it not for the sage advice of my closest and most rational friend – a lawyer, go figure – I might have followed Charlene out the SABC door. Then the half dozen business radio shows now on SA's airways might never have been born. But with value required for that contract, a 20-minute Market Update was started in dead airtime. It soon attracted an audience. The rest is history..___STEADY_PAYWALL___.Read also: Alec Hogg: Long neglected 2U catches fire.Am sharing this tale because from March 1, our team is back in the radio business: The BizNews Power Hour will air weeknights in prime time (5:30 – 6:30pm) on Cape Town's Fine Music Radio and be live streamed worldwide. Our Jackie Cameron (above) will anchor the show, with the rest of the BizNews team in full support. We intend raising the business radio bar. Trust you'll join us..PS There has been a very positive reaction to the inaugural BizNews Investment Conference I told you about earlier in the week. If you're keen to join us, please book ASAP as the 50 spots we're restricted to are being rapidly taken. Here's the link to start the booking process: https://www.biznews.com/biznews-investment-conference.NB FOR YOUR WALL STREET JOURNAL ACCESS….Because of The Wall Street Journal's credential requirements to access its site, your password MUST be at least 8 characters and include at least one letter and one number; and it MAY NOT contain any special characters (ie #, !, @ etc). To maintain access to WSJ.com, you MUST enter our partner's website at least once a month via BizNews Premium.And for your listening pleasure….Today's fresh audio on BizNews Radio.…..(click on the link to access).FB: SA rolls out J&J coronavirus vaccine; electricity prices to rise againThe IRR's outgoing CEO reckons State Capture Part Two loomsTAHS: Rejuvenated Gidon Novick back in industry he was born intoSA startup success; how the "Uber" of actuaries became a R35m businessCarrie's Corner: Talking brandy with Cape Winemaster Willie Bowman

Alec Hogg: Deja Vu as our Power Hour returns to radio

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